Process and device for connecting smoking articles

ABSTRACT

Process and device for connecting smoking article components. The process includes feeding a glued connecting sheet on a roller, feeding a cigarette/tip group on a grooved drum, transferring the connecting sheet to the cigarette/tip group such that the connecting sheet is arranged on the cigarette/tip group with two free ends, and rolling the cigarette/tip group to wrap the connecting sheet around the cigarette/tip group. Device is structured and arranged to perform the features of the process. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 ofEuropean Patent Application No. EP 02 023 524.8, filed on Oct. 22, 2002,the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a process for connecting smoking articlecomponents with glued connecting sheets fed on a roller with a definedspacing, and a cigarette/tip group fed on a grooved drum. The inventionalso relates to a device for connecting smoking article components withglued connecting sheets fed on a roller with a defined spacing, and acigarette/tip group fed on a grooved drum. The invention further relatesto a machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular a filtertipping machine.

[0004] According to the invention, a defined spacing refers to a spacingdetermined by a predetermined length of the connecting sheets.

[0005] 2. Discussion of Background Information

[0006] A device for connecting cigarette/tip groups by wrapping withglued connecting sheets is known, e.g., from EP-A-0 687 424, accordingto which the smoking article components are moved through a rollingchannel and thereby turned about their own axis during their forwardmovement.

[0007] A process and device of the type described above are used inparticular in packaging filter cigarettes conveyed in a cross-axialmanner on a filter tipping machine. Their capacity regarding thearticles produced and discharged per unit time has increased sharplyagain and again over time or had to be adapted to the increased capacityof the upstream cigarette rod machine. As a partial installation on afilter tipping machine, the roll device mentioned at the outset therebyreaches a critical capacity limit, that, when exceeded, can inevitablylead to a reduction in quality or increased tobacco wastage, damage,deformation or even destruction of the produced cigarettes.

[0008] Published German patent application no. DE 25 17 209 discloses adevice for connecting coating paper strips andcigarette/filter/cigarette groups, in which the coating paper is fed ona grooved drum. During the transfer of the groups to the coating paperfeed drum, the coating paper is wrapped around the group.

[0009] Furthermore, a process and a device for connecting smokingarticles are described in European Patent No. EP-B-0 821 887. Accordingto the technical teaching, the smoking article components are connectedby two consecutive rolling procedures. A first partial rolling occurs ina seat of the grooved drum during and at the transfer of the connectingsheet to a cigarette/tip group. The final rolling is conducted in theform of a multiple rolling of the partially connected components inanother process step.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention ensures a high product quality of smokingarticles, even at higher productive capacities in cigarette production.

[0011] According to the invention, a process of the type mentioned atthe outset includes, during the transfer, the connecting sheet isarranged on the cigarette/tip group with two free ends and, in asubsequent step, the connecting sheet is wrapped around the junctionpoints of the cigarette/tip group by rolling the components. Theinvention is based on the idea that the cigarette/tip group should notchange its position on or in the grooved drum, whereby in anintermediate step a partial wrapping of the cigarette/tip group is totake place by the application of a free end of the connecting sheet tothe cigarette/tip group. The free length of the connecting sheet isshortened during this, so that the end of the sheet is released from afollowing cigarette/tip group or is not caught up by it. A completeconnection of the cigarette/tip group to the connecting sheet issubsequently made by rolling the components so that the connecting sheetis completely wrapped around the junction points of the cigarette/tipgroup. Because the connecting sheet features a leading end on thecigarette/tip group, which end after the transfer is connected to thecigarette/tip group, the spacing between two consecutive, partiallyconnected components can be shortened, since the spacing gap between therear free end of the connecting sheet and the following cigarette/tipgroup is enlarged. This spacing gap can subsequently be shortened, sothat a filter tipping machine can be operated at a higher productivecapacity.

[0012] The leading free end of the connecting sheet can be glued orpartially connected to the cigarette/tip group, if the connecting sheetis arranged asymmetrically on the cigarette/tip group. In thisconnection, the feed of the coating paper strip takes place with asmooth feed drum.

[0013] A reliable partial wrapping of the cigarette/tip group isachieved when, after the arrangement of the connecting sheet on thecigarette/tip group, the connecting sheet and the cigarette/tip groupare partially connected by applying a free end of the connecting sheet.This occurs in a process step after the arrangement of the connectingsheet on the cigarette/tip group. The free end of the connecting sheetin front in the conveying direction of the cigarette/tip group ispreferably applied to the cigarette/tip group.

[0014] The free end of the connecting sheet is preferably applied to thecigarette/tip group by an application device.

[0015] Moreover, it is advantageous if the spacing between the partiallyconnected components is reduced. After the connection of the partiallyconnected components and the partial wrapping, the spacing between thetrailing free end of the connecting sheet and the following, likewisepartially wrapped cigarette/tip group is larger than with cigarette/tipgroups in which the sheet is attached at a point according to the priorart. With the reduction of the spacing according to the invention, e.g.,through moveable arms of a grooved drum, the conveyors arrangeddownstream of the grooved drum can likewise be operated with a smallerspacing, so that overall the productivity of a machine is increased witha high product quality. Thus, more cigarettes per minute can betransported or produced in a machine through the change or reduction ofthe spacing. At the same time, the smoking article components arehandled gently.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous if the spacing of the seats ofthe grooved drum is reduced after the partial connection of thecomponents. The reduction of the spacing is based on the idea that thespacing gap between the trailing free end and the following, likewisepartially wrapped group is enlarged through the application of theleading free end of the connecting sheet to the cigarette/tip group.Through the larger spacing gap it is possible to reduce the spacing tothe following devices or conveyor drums, so that a filter tippingmachine is operated with a higher throughput of produced cigarettes.Through the reduction of the spacing of the partially wrapped objects,the transfer of the partially connected smoking article components cansubsequently take place on a transfer drum with a smaller spacing.

[0017] According to an advantageous further development of the process,after being partially connected, the partially connected components aretransferred to a drum, in particular with a reduced spacingcorresponding to the spacing of the grooved drum. As a result, e.g., afilter assembler can be operated with a smaller spacing after thetransfer of the components from a rod unit.

[0018] In order to join the smoking article components securely, it isprovided according to the invention for the connecting sheets and thecigarette/tip groups to be joined with the same spacing.

[0019] If the spacing between the partially connected components ischanged, it is necessary for the spacing of the seats of the grooveddrum to be increased after the transfer of the partially connectedcomponents. The adjustment of the reduced spacing to the originalspacing guarantees a reliable operation of the process or of a device.

[0020] A secure adhesive connection between the smoking articlecomponents is ensured by a rolling being carried out after the transferof the partially connected components to the drum.

[0021] In particular, it is advantageous if the final rolling is carriedout in the form of a multiple rolling of the components.

[0022] The present invention is directed to a device of the typementioned at the outset, which is embodied or formed to arrange theconnecting sheet with two free ends on the cigarette/tip group.

[0023] In order to provide the cigarette/tip group with a partialwrapping of the free leading end with the connecting sheet according tothe invention, a device for partially connecting the components byapplying a free end of the connecting sheet, in particular the free endin front in the conveying direction, to the cigarette/tip group isprovided. Through the asymmetrical arrangement of the connecting sheeton the cigarette/tip group, the free leading piece of the connectingsheet is pressed to the cigarette/tip group and connected to it. Therear free part of the connecting sheet forms a kind of little tag.

[0024] According to an advantageous further development, it is providedthat the device for partial connection of the components is arrangedbetween the roller and a transfer drum relative to the conveyingdirection of the grooved drum.

[0025] In particular, the device for partial connection is embodied as arotational body and/or application device.

[0026] The free end of the connecting sheet is applied to thecigarette/tip group without creasing if the device for partialconnection features at least one application element, preferably aprojection.

[0027] The application elements preferably feature the same spacing ofthe seats of the grooved drum during the arrangement of the connectingsheet.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the seats of the grooved drumcan be changed with respect to the spacing. In this manner, thepartially connected components can be transferred to a transfer drumwith a smaller spacing.

[0029] It is advantageous if at least one rolling station is providedfor wrapping the connecting sheet around the junction points of thecigarette/tip group. The rolling station can be realized by, e.g., arolling block, as shown, e.g., in DT-PS 16 32 193 or, alternatively, bya rolling channel embodied or formed by belts, as shown in DE-A-198 57576.

[0030] The invention is further directed to a machine of the tobaccoprocessing industry, in particular a filter tipping machine, thatincludes the above described device.

[0031] A consistent or possibly even reduced article strain during theproduction process is achieved by the invention with a desired andachieved higher output rate and thus production rate of the filtercigarette lines. Moreover, a reduction in speed and a resulting noisereduction can be achieved through the invention, so that overall theefficiency of a filter tipping machine can be increased.

[0032] The present invention is directed to a process for connectingsmoking article components. The process includes feeding a gluedconnecting sheet on a roller, feeding a cigarette/tip group on a grooveddrum, transferring the connecting sheet to the cigarette/tip group suchthat the connecting sheet is arranged on the cigarette/tip group withtwo free ends, and rolling the cigarette/tip group to wrap theconnecting sheet around the cigarette/tip group.

[0033] According to the instant invention, the connecting sheet can betransferred onto a junction point of the cigarette/tip group.

[0034] Further, the roller can feed a plurality of glued connectingsheets that are positioned with a defined spacing and the grooved drumcan feed a plurality of cigarette/tip groups. The process may furtherinclude rotating the roller and the grooved drum such that a respectiveconnecting sheet is successively transferred to a respectivecigarette/tip group.

[0035] In accordance with a feature of the invention, the connectingsheet may be transferred to located asymmetrically on the cigarette/tipgroup.

[0036] Moreover, after transferring the connecting sheet to thecigarette/tip group, the process can also include applying one of thetwo free ends of the connecting sheet to the cigarette/tip group to formpartially connected components. The one of the two free ends can be thefront free end viewed in a conveying direction of the cigarette/tipgroup. The free end of the connecting sheet can be applied by anapplication device. The process may also include reducing a spacingbetween the partially connected components. The grooved drum can includeseats and the cigarette/tip group may be located in one of the seats,and the spacing between the partially connected components can bereduced by reducing a spacing between the seats of the grooved drum. Theprocess further may include transferring the partially connectedcomponents to a drum. The partially connected components can betransferred to the drum at a spacing corresponding to the reducedspacing of the seats of the grooved drum.

[0037] According to still another feature of the invention, the rollercan feed a plurality of glued connecting sheets and the grooved drum canfeed a plurality of cigarette/tip groups, and the connecting sheets andthe cigarette/tip groups may be joined at a same spacing.

[0038] Still further, after the transfer of the partially connectedcomponents to the drum, the process can include increasing the spacingbetween the seats of the grooved drum. Moreover, after the transfer ofthe partially connected components to the drum, the rolling of thecigarette/tip group can be a rolling of the partially connectedcomponents. The rolling may be performed as a multiple rolling of thepartially connected components.

[0039] The present invention is directed to a device for connectingsmoking article components. The device includes a roller structured andarranged to a feed glued connecting sheet and a grooved drum structuredand arranged to feed a cigarette/tip group. The roller and the grooveddrum are structured and arranged to connect the connecting sheet to thecigarette/tip group in such a manner that the connecting sheet has twofree ends when connected to the cigarette/tip group.

[0040] In accordance with the invention, the roller can be structuredand arranged to feed a plurality of connecting sheets with a definedspacing.

[0041] The device can also include a device for applying one of the twofree ends of the connecting sheet to the cigarette/tip group to formpartially connected components. The applying device may be arranged toapply a first free end of the connecting sheet, when viewed in theconveying direction of the grooved drum. The device can further includea transfer drum. The applying device can be located between the rollerand the transfer drum relative to the conveying direction of the grooveddrum. The applying device can include a rotational body. Further, theapplying device may include at least one application element. Theapplication element may include a projection. The grooved drum caninclude a plurality of seats, and the application elements may be spacedto correspond to a spacing between the plurality of seats during theconnection of the connecting sheets to the cigarette groups. Further,the spacing between the plurality of seats can be changeable. Stillfurther, the device can include a device for changing the spacingbetween the plurality of seats. Moreover, the application element can berotatable so that the at least one application element contacts the onefree end.

[0042] In accordance with another feature of the invention, the devicecan also include at least one rolling station located to wrap theconnecting sheet around a junction point of the cigarette/tip group.

[0043] Still further, the invention is directed to a machine of thetobacco processing industry comprising the device described above. Themachine can be a filter tipping machine.

[0044] The instant invention is directed to a process for connectingsmoking article components. The process includes feeding gluedconnecting sheets on a roller, feeding cigarette/tip groups on a grooveddrum, in which each cigarette/tip group has a longitudinal axis, andconnecting the connecting sheets to the cigarette/tip groups withoutrotating the cigarette/tip groups about their longitudinal axes.

[0045] In accordance with still yet another feature of the presentinvention, the connecting sheets can be connected to the cigarette/tipgroups in such a manner that the connected connecting sheets have twofree ends. The process can also include applying first free ends of thetwo free ends, when viewed in the cigarette/tip group conveyingdirection, to the cigarette/tip groups without rotating thecigarette/tip groups about their longitudinal axes, thereby formingpartially connected components. The process can further include applyingthe second free ends of the two free ends, when viewed in the conveyingdirection, to the cigarette/tip groups by rotating the cigarette/tipgroups about their longitudinal axes.

[0046] Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the presentinvention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The present invention is further described in the detaileddescription which follows, in reference to the noted plurality ofdrawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, in which like reference numerals represent similarparts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

[0048]FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of a drum arrangement of afilter tipping machine; and

[0049]FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a sectional view of thepartial wrapping of smoking article components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0050] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and forpurposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the presentinvention only and are presented in the cause of providing what isbelieved to be the most useful and readily understood description of theprinciples and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In thisregard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the presentinvention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamentalunderstanding of the present invention, the description taken with thedrawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the severalforms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

[0051]FIG. 1 illustrates diagrammatically, in section, a device 30according to the invention with a plurality of drums, as embodied orformed, e.g., in a filter tipping machine. The conveyors of device 30involved in the processes according to the invention comprise a suctionroller 2 rotating in the direction of arrow 1, on which connectingsheets 3 are fed at a defined spacing that is predetermined by thelength of connecting sheet 3. moreover, connecting sheets 3 are glued ontheir outside surface, i.e., facing away from suction roll 2. Connectingsheets 3 are arranged on carrier brackets 28 of suction roller 2, andheld in carrier brackets 28 by suction through vacuum intake openings12.

[0052] Another conveyor of device 30 involved is embodied or formed as agrooved drum 6 that rotates in the direction of arrow 7 that is equippedwith drum grooves 8 on moveable groove arms. An example of such atransfer device with moveable arms for rod-shaped articles is disclosed,e.g., in DE-B-31 37 223.

[0053] Drum grooves 8 each accept one cigarette/tip group 9 and holdcigarette/tip groups 9 on conveyor drum 6 by a vacuum applied throughsuction borings 11.

[0054] During the transfer of connecting sheet 3 to cigarette/tip groups9, connecting sheets 3 and drum grooves 8 feature the same spacing.

[0055] The connecting sheets 3 and the cigarette/tip group 9 are movedtowards one another and joined via the synchronous rotation of thesuction roller 2 and the grooved drum 6. During the joining of aconnecting sheet 3 to a cigarette/tip group 9, connecting sheet 3 isadhered asymmetrically, e.g., with a front free end 4 and a rear freeend 5 to cigarette/tip group 9. Subsequently, the adhered connectingsheet 3 with respective cigarette/tip group 9 is moved away from suctionroller 2 toward a transfer drum 18. The combination of connecting sheet3 and cigarette/tip group 9 is thereby moved along a sheet guide 24,which prevents sheet 3 from separating from cigarette/tip group 9.

[0056] Subsequently, cigarette/tip group 9 with connecting sheet 3 isfed along sheet guide 24 to a rolling star 25, which is a rotating bodythat features projections 27 on the outside arranged in a star-shapedmanner. The spacing of projections 27 of rolling star 25 corresponds tothe spacing of drum grooves 8 on grooved drum 6 or the spacing ofcarrier brackets 28 of suction roller 2. In order to conduct a partialwrapping of cigarette/tip group 9 with leading end 4 of connecting sheet3, projection 27 touches front end 4 of connecting sheet 3 and thusapplies front end 4 onto cigarette/tip group 9. Moreover, the rotatingmovement of rolling star 25 is synchronized with the rotating movementof grooved drum 6. During the partial wrapping, rear free end 5 ofconnecting sheet 3 does not change its relative position tocigarette/tip group 9. After the partial wrapping or partial connectionof the components, i.e., connecting sheet 3 and cigarette/tip group 9,at rolling star 25, the spacing between drum seats 8 is reduced, sothat, during the transfer of the partially connected smoking articlecomponents 3 and 9 to roller drum 18, drum seats 8 feature a reducedspacing as compared to the spacing of the carrier brackets 28 of suctionroll 2. After the transfer of the partially connected components 3 and 9to roller drum 18, the spacing between drum seats 8 is enlarged again sothat the spacing of seats 8 on grooved drum 6 again corresponds to thespacing of connecting sheets 3, as well as to the spacing of carrierbrackets 28 on suction roller 2.

[0057] Roller drum 18 transfers the partially wrapped combination ofconnecting sheet 3 and cigarette/tip group 9 in the direction of arrow19 to a rolling station (not shown), at which a rolling channel isformed, e.g., between a rolling block and the outer circumference ofroller drum 18. The rolling surface of the rolling block issubstantially longer than the circumferential surface of thecigarette/tip groups 9 so that as cigarette/tip group 9 is rolledseveral times, connecting sheet 3 is completely connected tocigarette/tip group 9. Alternatively, the rolling can be carried out bybelts instead of a rolling block, as disclosed in, e.g., DE-A-198 57576.

[0058]FIG. 2 illustrates in detail the application of front free end 4of connecting sheet 3 to cigarette/tip group 9 by rolling star 25.Rolling star 25 has a projection 27 that approaches cigarette/tip group9 during the synchronous rotation of rolling star 25 and grooved drum 6,with respect to the conveying direction of drum 6, until projection 27touches front end 4 of connecting sheet 3 in order to press it ontocigarette/tip group 9. Rear free end 5 of connecting sheet 3 which restson (and is supported by) a (rearward) mandrel 14 of seat 8, remainsconstant in its length during this partial connection.

[0059] It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merelyfor the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed aslimiting of the present invention. While the present invention has beendescribed with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understoodthat the words which have been used herein are words of description andillustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made,within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and asamended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentinvention in its aspects. Although the present invention has beendescribed herein with reference to particular means, materials andembodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends toall functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as arewithin the scope of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0060]1 Arrow

[0061]2 Suction roller

[0062]3 Connecting sheet

[0063]4 Free end

[0064]5 Free end

[0065]6 Grooved drum

[0066]7 Arrow

[0067]8 Drum seat

[0068]9 Cigarette/tip group

[0069]11 Vacuum intake boring

[0070]12 Vacuum intake opening

[0071]14 Support mandrel

[0072]18 Roller drum

[0073]19 Arrow

[0074]24 Sheet guide

[0075]25 Rolling star

[0076]27 Projection

[0077]28 Carrier brackets

[0078]30 Device

What is claimed:
 1. A process for connecting smoking article componentscomprising: feeding a glued connecting sheet on a roller; feeding acigarette/tip group on a grooved drum; transferring the connecting sheetto the cigarette/tip group such that the connecting sheet is arranged onthe cigarette/tip group with two free ends; and rolling thecigarette/tip group to wrap the connecting sheet around thecigarette/tip group.
 2. The process in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe connecting sheet is transferred onto a junction point of thecigarette/tip group.
 3. The process in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe roller feeds a plurality of glued connecting sheets that arepositioned with a defined spacing and the grooved drum feeds a pluralityof cigarette/tip groups.
 4. The process in accordance with claim 3,further comprising rotating the roller and the grooved drum such that arespective connecting sheet is successively transferred to a respectivecigarette/tip group.
 5. The process in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe connecting sheet is transferred to located asymmetrically on thecigarette/tip group.
 6. The process in accordance with claim 1, wherein,after transferring the connecting sheet to the cigarette/tip group, theprocess further comprises applying one of the two free ends of theconnecting sheet to the cigarette/tip group to form partially connectedcomponents.
 7. The process in accordance with claim 6, wherein the oneof the two free ends is the front free end viewed in a conveyingdirection of the cigarette/tip group.
 8. The process in accordance withclaim 6, wherein the free end of the connecting sheet is applied by anapplication device.
 9. The process in accordance with claim 6, furthercomprising reducing a spacing between the partially connectedcomponents.
 10. The process in accordance with claim 9, wherein thegrooved drum comprises seats and the cigarette/tip group is located inone of the seats, and the spacing between the partially connectedcomponents is reduced by reducing a spacing between the seats of thegrooved drum.
 11. The process in accordance with claim 10, furthercomprising transferring the partially connected components to a drum.12. The process in accordance with claim 11, wherein the partiallyconnected components are transferred to the drum at a spacingcorresponding to the reduced spacing of the seats of the grooved drum.13. The process in accordance with claim 1, wherein the roller feeds aplurality of glued connecting sheets and the grooved drum feeds aplurality of cigarette/tip groups, and the connecting sheets and thecigarette/tip groups are joined at a same spacing.
 14. The process inaccordance with claim 11, wherein, after the transfer of the partiallyconnected components to the drum, the process further comprisesincreasing the spacing between the seats of the grooved drum.
 15. Theprocess in accordance with claim 11, wherein, after the transfer of thepartially connected components to the drum, the rolling of thecigarette/tip group is a rolling of the partially connected components.16. The process in accordance with claim 15, wherein the rolling isperformed as a multiple rolling of the partially connected components.17. A device for connecting smoking article components comprising: aroller structured and arranged to a feed glued connecting sheet; agrooved drum structured and arranged to feed a cigarette/tip group; andsaid roller and said grooved drum are structured and arranged to connectthe connecting sheet to the cigarette/tip group in such a manner thatthe connecting sheet has two free ends when connected to thecigarette/tip group.
 18. The device in accordance with claim 17, whereinsaid roller is structured and arranged to feed a plurality of connectingsheets with a defined spacing.
 19. The device in accordance with claim17, further comprising a device for applying one of the two free ends ofthe connecting sheet to the cigarette/tip group to form partiallyconnected components.
 20. The device in accordance with claim 19,wherein the applying device is arranged to apply a first free end of theconnecting sheet, when viewed in the conveying direction of said grooveddrum.
 21. The device in accordance with claim 19, further comprising atransfer drum, wherein the applying device is located between saidroller and said transfer drum relative to the conveying direction ofsaid grooved drum.
 22. The device in accordance with claim 19, whereinsaid applying device comprises a rotational body.
 23. The device inaccordance with claim 19, wherein said applying device comprises atleast one application element.
 24. The device in accordance with claim23, wherein said application element comprises a projection.
 25. Thedevice in accordance with claim 23, wherein said grooved drum comprisesa plurality of seats, and said application elements are spaced tocorrespond to a spacing between said plurality of seats during theconnection of the connecting sheets to the cigarette groups.
 26. Thedevice in accordance with claim 25, wherein the spacing between saidplurality of seats is changeable.
 27. The device in accordance withclaim 25, further comprising a device for changing the spacing betweensaid plurality of seats.
 28. The device in accordance with claim 23,wherein said application element is rotatable so that said at least oneapplication element contacts the one free end.
 29. The device inaccordance with claim 17, further comprising at least one rollingstation located to wrap the connecting sheet around a junction point ofthe cigarette/tip group.
 30. A machine of the tobacco processingindustry comprising said device in accordance with claim
 17. 31. Themachine in accordance with claim 30, wherein said machine is a filtertipping machine.
 32. A process for connecting smoking article componentscomprising: feeding glued connecting sheets on a roller; feedingcigarette/tip groups on a grooved drum, wherein each cigarette/tip grouphas a longitudinal axis; connecting the connecting sheets to thecigarette/tip groups without rotating the cigarette/tip groups abouttheir longitudinal axes.
 33. The process in accordance with claim 32,wherein the connecting sheets are connected to the cigarette/tip groupsin such a manner that the connected connecting sheets have two freeends.
 34. The process in accordance with claim 33, further comprisingapplying first free ends of the two free ends, when viewed in thecigarette/tip group conveying direction, to the cigarette/tip groupswithout rotating the cigarette/tip groups about their longitudinal axes,thereby forming partially connected components.
 35. The process inaccordance with claim 34, further comprising applying the second freeends of the two free ends, when viewed in the conveying direction, tothe cigarette/tip groups by rotating the cigarette/tip groups abouttheir longitudinal axes.